EAGLES

Overview

Overview

The aim of this research is to better understand the changes in the brain that occur in schizophrenia. The study will use brain scans to measure several related aspects of brain function (such as glucose use, blood flow and activity) in people who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia compared to people with no mental health difficulties (‘healthy volunteers’). 

The study involves three visits. These are an interview visit, a Positron Emission Tomography (PET-CT/MR) scan visit and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan visit. We will also take blood samples to help us to interpret the scans. The scan visits will take place at St Thomas’ hospital. 

Are you interested in taking part in this study? 

Find out more by filling in this form

Planned end date

30 Sep 2027 13:29

Conditions

Schizophrenia

Inclusion Criteria

All participants:

1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding

2. Lacking in mental capacity to provide informed consent to study participation.

2. Diabetes or history of taking an antidiabetic medication

3. Presence of contraindication to MRI at 7 Tesla, including metallic or electronic implants and dental wires.

4. Severe claustrophobia prohibiting participation on PET or MRI

5. Body size above the comfortable limits for the MRI scanner. This will depend on individual body characteristics, but as a guide the scanner bore is 60cm wide, which translates to upper weight limit of ~125-130kg.

6. Previous participation in research or clinical procedure/s involving ionising radiation, which, including the current study, would result in total radiation exposure >=10mSv within 12 months (as ARSAC guidelines suggest 10mSv/year as the normal upper limit for radiation exposure related to research procedures).

7. History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for > 5 minutes

8. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for organic mental disorders (F00-F09)

9. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19)

10. With the exclusion of nicotine or cannabis, meeting ICD-11 criteria for psychoactive substance dependence.

11. Participation in clinical trial investigating any pharmacological agent other than a licensed antipsychotic compound in the last month.

Exclusion Criteria

All participants:
1. Pregnancy or breastfeeding
2. Lacking in mental capacity to provide informed consent to study participation.
2. Diabetes or history of taking an antidiabetic medication
3. Presence of contraindication to MRI at 7 Tesla, including metallic or electronic implants and dental wires.
4. Severe claustrophobia prohibiting participation on PET or MRI
5. Body size above the comfortable limits for the MRI scanner. This will depend on individual body characteristics, but as a guide the scanner bore is 60cm wide, which translates to upper weight limit of ~125-130kg.
6. Previous participation in research or clinical procedure/s involving ionising radiation, which, including the current study, would result in total radiation exposure >=10mSv within 12 months (as ARSAC guidelines suggest 10mSv/year as the normal upper limit for radiation exposure related to research procedures).
7. History of head injury resulting in loss of consciousness for > 5 minutes
8. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for organic mental disorders (F00-F09)
9. Meeting ICD-11 criteria for mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use (F10-F19)
10. With the exclusion of nicotine or cannabis, meeting ICD-11 criteria for psychoactive substance dependence.
11. Participation in clinical trial investigating any pharmacological agent other than a licensed antipsychotic compound in the last month.

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